La Pine is located in the central part of the state in Deschutes County. The town is on the southern border of the county and is situated near the Deschutes National Forest. The town is not completely isolated since there are a handful of other towns and cities within Deschutes County. I have a list of the nearby towns and cities listed below.
I stumbled across this charming, small town after wandering through the vast countryside in Central Oregon’s high desert region. In fact, after days of hiking through the Deschutes National Forest, finding this sweet town was a refreshing treat.
The locals in La Pine are friendly, welcoming, and hard working. Whether you are an excited adventure-seeker or a weary traveler, the residents of La Pine will make you feel right at home. They take great pride in the picturesque nature that surrounds their tiny community. I love that their town slogan is, “Passion is our nature.”
Furthermore, the community has an incredible nature park and heartwarming festivals that are guaranteed to win you over. Do you dream of living the simple life in Central Oregon’s high desert region? If so, then let’s explore the basic details about this charming town so you can make some important decisions!
If you’re a geography guru and have never heard of La Pine, Oregon before, don’t worry.
The population of La Pine is approximately 2,000 residents. The population is expected to grow over the next decade with more people discovering the untouched beauty of Central Oregon. Don’t worry; the town is not expected to become another Portland. However, the nearby city of Bend is growing exponentially and following closely behind Portland.
The town proves to have a mostly young population with the median age of the residents being 41 years old. The average number of people per household in La Pine is roughly 2.3. These statistics show that it’s a great place to raise a family!
I have more population statistics listed below:
As you can see, Bend has a large population and is considered the hallmark of Central Oregon. Many people who live in the remote, surrounding areas commute to Bend for employment. Life in La Pine gives you the best of both worlds: country living without being far removed from city life.
The small town of La Pine is situated in the southern portion of Deschutes County in the high desert region of Central Oregon. More specifically, the town is nestled in the valley of the Little Deschutes River. (The Little Deschutes River is a tributary of the larger Deschutes River.) The Cascade Mountain Range serves as a picturesque backdrop to the town, offering spectacular sights of the snow-capped peaks.
The town has a high desert climate with cooler temperatures and low amounts of rainfall. In the summertime, the average high temperature hovers around 82 degrees Fahrenheit. In the wintertime, the average low temperature hovers around a chilly 19 degrees Fahrenheit.
Throughout the year, La Pine only receives approximately 23 inches of rain. For comparison, the United States, on average, receives 38 inches of rain a year. Astonishingly, the area receives 95 inches of snow in a year! However, a lot of the snowfall occurs on the high peaks of the nearby mountains.
La Pine has several annual festivals throughout the year that you may find enjoyable.
The most popular attraction in town is La Pine State Park. It is situated along the Little Deschutes River in the forest of subalpine fir trees. You will find so much to do in this tranquil piece of land. Take a look below!
Numerous Hiking and Biking Trails
There are 14 miles of hiking and biking trails for you to explore! The trails take you through the impressive forest and lead you to amazing sights of the Cascades standing off in the distance.
10 Cozy Log Cabins
There are five regular log cabins and five deluxe log cabins. (The deluxe cabins are equipped for visitors with disabilities.) Filled with every amenity you could ask for, these cozy cabins will make you want one of your own!
Deschutes River Day-Use Area
This area is perfect for day trips! It is situated along the river and has a boat ramp and fantastic fishing spots. You will also find a picnic area with tables, an outdoor grill, and a firepit. The river has a small beach for summer swimmers and restrooms are nearby. Furthermore, this is the site of the popular McGregor Memorial Viewpoint that overlooks the scenic bend of the river and leads you to all the hiking and biking trails.
Spacious Campground
You can book reservations at the campground six months in advance. You will find 82 full hookup sites for your RV and 47 of those sites are electrical with water. There’s an RV dump station, fenced pet playground area, hot showers and toilets, and firewood for sale.
“Big Tree” Day-Use Area
While this isn’t an official site, it is a popular one known to the locals. There’s no denying where the largest tree is at La Pine State Park. Named “Big Tree” by the locals, the tree is Oregon’s largest ponderosa pine tree! While the exact age is unknown, it is thought to be around 500 years old.
If you are seriously considering a move to La Pine, Oregon, it’s important to have an idea of the local economic health. I have listed below the employment statistics and tax rates for this charming, little town.
Retail, food service, and manufacturing jobs are the most available employment opportunities within La Pine city limits. As I mentioned previously, many La Pine residents commute to nearby larger cities for some professional employment opportunities.
The town of La Pine was not incorporated until December 2006. However, the community has been around since the early 1800’s when pioneer fur trappers settled into the area. Originally named Rosland, La Pine gained a post office in 1897. By 1900, the unincorporated community had a collection of homes and businesses. The construction of the Oregon Trunk Railroad began in 1908 and connected La Pine to Bend to the Columbia River in the north. This brought more people and activity to the La Pine area. In 1917, the construction of the U.S. Highway 97 route was completed and guaranteed the arrival of more folks to the unincorporated town.
Today, the town prides itself on its spectacular views of the Cascade Mountains and the beauty of the Little Deschutes River and subalpine forest to attract visitors from all over the country.
Homes in La Pine’s real estate are average in cost when compared to other areas in Oregon. Due to the town’s close proximity to Bend and Mt. Bachelor, real estate prices are slightly higher in La Pine than more affordable areas found in southwestern Oregon.
The median home cost in La Pine is $377,000 while the average age of homes is approximately 24 years old. Yes, the houses are young, which has also contributed to its hike in home prices.
Home appreciation in the town is up a whopping 30%!
Furthermore, 36% of the population rent their homes in La Pine. I should warn you, though, that currently finding a home to rent in La Pine is next to impossible. Your best chance of securing a place to live in the small town is to purchase real estate property. With home appreciation at 30%, investing in real estate property in La Pine may be a great pay off for you!
Moving to La Pine can be a big decision for many, especially families. It is always good to research the different areas and neighborhoods before you make any kid of move. We are here to help with that process.
Below is a list of the 15 different neighborhoods in La Pine. Each neighborhood has a link to a page further talking about it.
Now that you’ve been given the brief overview of the lovely town of La Pine, what do you say? Are you ready for that move? Spend the day in La Pine and think about it more. You’ll meet friendly people and make new friends. La Pine, Oregon has so much to offer!
While the Oregon coastline is rural compared to other coastlines in the United States, more people are moving to the area.
Many people visit Central Oregon every year and fall in love with its spectacular views and acres of untouched land.
